Orchards member John Dowd: "We are responsible people. It's not a frat-house mentality."
SOUTH HADLEY – The Selectboard has given the Orchards Golf Club permission to sell alcohol on its grounds from a beverage cart, despite objections from some residents at a public hearing.
Previously the club’s policy was to sell alcohol only in the clubhouse.
About 20 people showed up for the hearing on the matter, including a representative of Texas-based Century Golf Partners, which manages the course owned by Mount Holyoke College.
Most in the crowd spoke in support of the Orchards, which they described as a responsible operation. One woman said the bartender there even “carded” her son – and he’s 30.
Alistair Catto, who lives near the course and has complained before about noise and litter, spoke against permitting the alcohol expansion.
Catto said enforcement of liquor laws has been difficult. He had photos of people drinking out on the course even while the practice was banned.
Some agreed that liquor was sometimes smuggled in from cars, but they saw that as one more reason why the club should be given control over outdoor drinking.
Catto also brought up a sanitary issue, saying the course can accommodate 144 people but has no toilet facilities on the grounds for drinkers.
He cited a University of Alabama study that listed 48,000 golf cart accidents between 2002 and 2005, “often with alcohol as a primary factor.”
James Carey, owner of the Village Commons, objected to Catto’s descriptions. “This does not reflect the Orchards or any of the membership that I know,” he said.
“We are responsible people,” said Orchards member John Dowd. “It’s not a frat-house mentality.”
“It’s a lot of business people, a lot of respected people in town,” said David Pettengill.
Golfers said they should be allowed to have “a couple of beers” if they want to. “I’ve never had a golf course experience where it was denied,” said John Baker.
Catto was particularly concerned that in August a drunk driver was charged with running down a young South Hadley man after drinking at the Orchards.
The death of 22-year-old Frederick S. Kareta shocked the town. Speakers Mary Hall and Bruce Plichta, clearly distressed by the death of “Joey” Kareta, as Plichta called him, linked the tragedy with what they said was unsafe driving near the golf course.
But others disagreed, saying the Orchards wasn’t responsible. They even faulted “sensational” reports in the media for making the connection.
In the end, the most powerful argument in favor of expanding the liquor license seemed to be that once the practice became legal, management at the Orchards could monitor drinking on the grounds.
Certain parts of the course, including sections that overlap Granby, will remain alcohol-free.